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Gore-backed group gears up

From NBC's Kelly PaiceAs supporters wage their uphill campaign to pass an energy/climate change bill in the Senate, the Al Gore-backed group Alliance for Climate Protection today launched what it's calling an online, field and advertising "Repower America" campaign to get the legislation through Congress.

In a conference call with reporters, Maggie Fox, the alliance's president and CEO, explained that the organization was "launched in late 2006 by ... Gore with the idea of building a movement of showing urgency" for the need of a clean energy environment and "turning it into an opportunity."

Fox said that this new effort launched today includes an integrated campaign featuring two TV ads and an interactive wall on its Web site showing "the incredible, fierce, and growing support of the movement and action on a clean energy economy this year." More than 11,000 people have posted on the organization's "Repower Wall," which provides a forum for diverse voices -- including Americans across the country, business leaders, and faith-based activists -- to discuss how to move America into a clean energy mindset.

Fox described the campaign so far "a hub, an aggregator, and an amplifier" for the clean energy movement.

Rev. Richard Cizik, president of the New Evangelicals and a voice for the Repower America campaign, reiterated that climate change is a global issue, and said that in meeting with religious leaders across the world that there is a common belief in protecting our environment. "They all say, as people of different religions, that this is what their holy book calls us all to do." David Boundy, Repower America's campaign manager, stated that the purpose of the campaign is to "combat the notion that change cannot be made in this country."

Another supporter of the Repower America campaign, Exelon Corporation Executive Vice President Elizabeth Moler expressed her corporation's strong support for passage of climate change legislation as soon as possible. Moler said that Exelon was "very gratified" with the House when it passed its energy/climate change bill in June. But she understands "that it's an uphill battle in the Senate," where moderate Democrats and Republicans pose a threat in supporting less ambitious climate legislation. However, Fox said that Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) represent the organization's perspective and are "working to move legislation this year or at least put together a package that bounces into next year."